2018 Jeep Wrangler: pulls to one side

Filed Sep 25, 2026 · Steering · OH

My 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL has excessive play in the steering and wanders while driving, requiring frequent steering corrections to maintain the vehicle's direction, particularly at highway speeds. I have been dealing with the steering issue for over a year. I am concerned that the excessive play and wandering could result in difficulty maintaining control of the vehicle, especially at highway speeds or during an emergency maneuver. I took the vehicle to an authorized Jeep dealership for diagnosis. The dealership confirmed that the steering gear is the problem and recommended replacement. I was quoted approximately $1,418 for the repair. FCA issued TSB 08-003-21 Rev. A, which applies to 2018–2020 Jeep Wrangler JL vehicles. The symptoms identified by FCA include steering wander, pulling/leading left or right, and excessive steering play. The repair procedure calls for replacement of the steering gear and addressing the Electric Hydraulic Power Steering software. The bulletin also states that failure to complete the required repair steps may result in undesirable handling characteristics. I contacted Jeep/FCA requesting assistance with the repair because my vehicle has the same steering condition identified in FCA's bulletin and the Jeep dealership confirmed the steering gear requires replacement. FCA declined assistance based on the age/model year of the vehicle. There were no warning lights indicating the steering gear problem. The vehicle is currently available for inspection, and the defective OEM steering gear can be retained and made available for inspection after replacement if requested. I am reporting this because I believe a steering defect that causes excessive play and wandering presents a potential motor vehicle safety concern, and I am requesting that the federal safety agency evaluate this issue in 2018–2020 Jeep Wrangler JL vehicles.

Filed Aug 10, 2026 · Steering · MI

The steering column mechanically disconnected, causing a complete loss of steering control while traveling approximately 70 mph on a highway. I was in the right lane when steering control was lost without any warning signs, including noises, vibrations, warning lights, or increased steering resistance. I immediately activated the hazard lights, informed my passenger, checked surrounding traffic, and applied the brakes. The vehicle pulled to the left under braking, crossed into the left lane, and entered the grassy median. The vehicle continued through a steep V-shaped median and came to a stop before entering opposing traffic. A collision was narrowly avoided.

Filed Jun 8, 2025 · Steering · NC

The steering gear box on my Jeep Wrangler has an active technical service bulletin regarding the faulty alluminum steering gear box causing wandering in the steering of the vehicle on all 2018-2020 Jeep Wranglers. This repair is a known issue by FCA as they have a service bulletin regarding the issue. However they have not recalled the defective parts and refuse to cover replacing the defective parts unless the vehicle is still under warranty, or at a substantial cost to me. When I purchased my Jeep from Westgate Jeep in Raleigh, NC in late September 2024 at 84,000 miles the TSB had not been completed by the original owner. The Jeep is lifted but was sold to the original owner in that manner. It is a Rocky Ridge package that was sold the way it still is to the original owner. My safety and the safety of my family is at risk in the vehicle because it wanders excessively in the road. The incident consisted of passing 18 wheeler driving by in the opposite direction causing the Jeep to wander excessively to the right off of the edge of the road causing near loss of control and potential roll over. The issue has been found by my certified mechanic to be related to excessive movement/flexing in the steering gear box. The mechanic drove the vehicle and also noticed the wandering steering. FCA/Jeep should not be allowed to refuse to repair such a significant known issue with vehicles that they manufactured with defective parts they should be held accountable and made to recall and repair those defective parts. There are no active warning lights on the vehicle and a recent alignment was done by a certified mechanic when the tie rod and tie rod ends, drag link and drag link ends, ball joints and steering dampener where replaced. All tires are balanced and have equal wear the steering gear box is the only component of the steering system that has not been replaced and the issue remains. Please reference Mopar T.S.B. 08-074-20 REV. B regarding the known issue. Thank you.

Filed Mar 11, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · NC

While driving the transmission and clutch system blew up. And I mean that in the literale sense. Sparks and a big flash. Unfortunately, I was an hour away from where I live. This caused me to have to find a way home and find a tow company that would be able to pick up my jeep on the side of the highway, tow it an hour to me. I couldn't afford that, so it was taken to the Chrysler dealership there and it was there for a month before they could work on it due to the parts having to be ordered and shipped in. Once the entire clutch system and transmission fully replaced I have to find a way to go back and pick it up. It was after hours when I finally got to it. That's when the mechanic that worked on it researched and found the recall for the transmission and clutch system because they would blow up. Just as mine did. But the next set of problems started as soon as I picked my jeep up. Pulls to the right when braking, push start won't start saying the fobs are not detected while I'm holding them in my hands. All lights on cluster go off randomly, the steering wheel locks up while I'm driving causing more danger. The traction control, sway bar will go off and on as well as the push start will not turn off. I did manage to take a short clip of this happening while I'm driving.

Filed Nov 30, 2024 · Steering, Suspension · CA

This vehicle is a 2018 model with 27k miles, non of it off road. Upon driving a freeway a few days ago, the vehicle went into a violent vibration/shacking motion,AKA "Death Wobble" that required immediate and dangerous driver action to keep from having a high speed (within legal limits) accident. In addition, the steering system sticking (stops and won't move) and wanders both left and right. The vehicle is dangerous to the occupants as well as other car/drivers in close proximity to this vehicle.

Filed Nov 22, 2024 · Brakes, Steering · LA

A shimmy in the steering wheel after hitting an irregularity on the road surface, also whenever I want to turn it does like a Squirrelly is the best way I can put it. On uneven roads, bumps, dips, etc the jeep pulls to one side or the other. Consequently the traction control light comes on and the jeep loses power!

Filed Aug 24, 2023 · Steering · MD

when traveling highway speeds at ~55 MPH if the car hits a pot hole or bump in the road the steering pulls left and right aggressively and will not cease until the car is stopped. this is very dangerous at high speeds, as the car is vibrating so badly control of the car is very difficult. The car has been inspected by the dealership and we were informed they could only make adjustments based on manufacture recommendations, which included alignment and tire balancing, and the car was returned to us in the same condition. The steering damper was replaced by another service center at our own costs and the problem persists. The dealership suggested "selling the car" as they are unable to resolve the problem. The problem continues to persist which is a great concern, that it can not be resolved or corrected.

Filed Jun 5, 2023 · TN

When I hit a bump of any size my Jeep starts shaking uncontrollably. The first time it happened I had a panic attack because I had no idea what was going on and feared for my life. I pulled to the right side of the road and came to a complete stop for it to stop shaking. Everyone’s safety around me could me at risk including mine since sometimes I don’t know when it’ll happen and I can’t take my hand off the steering wheel to try and see to move over to the right side of the road. It happens very often. First time was I believe in March 2023.

Filed Aug 31, 2022 · Brakes · 80,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the driver’s side brake caliper seized causing the vehicle to stop or pull to the left. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the front driver’s side brake caliper was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the brake calipers were on back order and unavailable for purchase. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Jun 17, 2022 · Steering · TX

On multiple occasions this Jeep has a tendency to wander into the adjacent lane, especially on curves. It is slow to respond to steering corrections when this happens. Any driving of the vehicle requires constant steering corrections to keep it in a straight line At highway speeds a small bump in the road causes the Jeep to wander into the next lane or to start to fishtail. I'm now scared to drive it on the highway and feel it's an accident waiting to happen.

Filed Jun 13, 2022 · Steering · KY · crash

The steering wheel is loose/has too much play. The Jeep wanders when holding the wheel straight. When driving, turning the wheel 2-3 inches in either direction produced not movement at all in my tires. This was not an issue before steering recalls were done. Unfortunately, with Covid and working from home, I did not drive a lot, and definitely not need to take it on highway. April 9th was the first time taking it on the highway for a trip (Connecticut to Kentucky). I did not make it. I was in an accident when a vehicle appeared to be to coming to close. I recall turning the wheel and not getting any response…then jerking more out of fear which was to much and I ended up smashing into a guardrail. I had to leave it in Pennsylvania at a collision center for repairs. May 26 - Can repairs complete so I picked it up in PA and drove to Louisville. A 7hr trip took 2-days. I has to drive slow, and so way could I drive it while it was raining. It was wandering and all over the highway and the steering was not responsive. June 3 -I brought it into Cross Jeep as soon as they had an opening. They rotated the tire and test drive it. I was told they did not notice anything out of the ordinary. The loose steering is how Jeeps drive. I was told to take it home and see how things were after the tire rotation. June 6 - First thing Monday I called to bring Jeep back in because it was driving the same. I left message with the answering service and I texted, but was unable to reach someone to make an appointment. June 7 - Got in touch with service and scheduled and appointment for their soonest opening (June 13) June 13 - Brought Jeep in and explained loose Staring and wandering is still an issue in the vehicle does not feel safe and is not safe because it caused me to crash. I showed them a video on the loose steering. I was told there is nothing they can do. That’s how “Jeeps” drive. I insisted they look further and I also file a complaint with Jeep.

Filed Mar 28, 2022 · Steering, Transmission · PA

the steering is very loose and the jeep wanders on the road. I have experienced i down shifting very hard when braking.